Group A kicks off the 2022 World Cup with these Senegal vs. Netherlands predictions focused on action 24 hours after the opening fixture of the tournament. Defending Africa Cup of Nations champions Senegal are tipped to reach the knockout stages but they face a battle against Louis van Gaal’s resurgent Dutch side.
Senegal vs. Netherlands odds
1 – A draw – 3/1
2 – Senegal under 1.5 total goals – 1/5
3 – Total goals scored under 2.5 – 3/4
4 – Both teams to score – 11/9
5 – A 1-1 draw – 7/1
Senegal’s clash with the Netherlands has been tipped as the contest that will decide top spot in Group A, with both sides confident of reaching the last 16.
Aliou Cisse’s side impressed en route to clinching their first Africa Cup of Nations title in 2021. But a likely absence of Sadio Mane impacts their chances, with the Bayern Munich man struggling with a leg injury.
Cisse called up his talisman, despite the former Liverpool star carrying a minor injury, and the 30-year-old is almost certain to miss this game.
Despite Mane’s absence, Senegal will still be confident of a positive result based on their form heading into the World Cup.
They have won three and drawn two of their last six competitive games, with van Gaal’s charges winning five and drawing one from six UEFA Nations League games in 2022.
That respective streak of results hints at a tight game and a draw could be a strong option in Doha.
Senegal have relied on low scoring matches, with two of the above wins coming via a penalty shootout after 1-1 draws – and Cisse’s side scored three goals in two warm-up friendlies.
The Netherlands’ last two games heading into the tournament have featured under 2.5 total goals with five of Senegal’s last six matches (including non-competitive and excluding shootouts) ending with under 2.5 total goals inside 90 minutes of action.
Both sides have plenty of firepower in their ranks, with Senegal scoring in their last eight games and Netherlands on target in their last 14 matches.
A 1-1 draw would not be a disaster for either side’s knockout chances – with the crucial aim being to avoid defeat – and they will be confident of securing points against hosts Qatar and Ecuador.
How to stream Senegal vs. Netherlands
Senegal vs. Netherlands will be broadcasted around the world on Monday depending on national TV rights.
Senegal vs. Netherlands last five matches
Senegal last five matches
Bolivia 0-2 Senegal
Mozambique 1-1 Senegal (Senegal win 4-2 on pens)
Zambia 4-3 Senegal
Senegal 1-1 Eswatini (Senegal win 10-9 on pens)
Rwanda 0-1 Senegal
Netherlands last five matches
Netherlands 1-0 Belgium
Poland 0-2 Netherlands
Netherlands 3-2 Wales
Netherlands 2-2 Poland
Wales 1-2 Netherlands
Senegal top World Cup qualification goalscorers
Famara Diedhiou – 3
Ismaila Sarr – 3
Sadio Mane – 3
Boulaye Dia -2
Idrissa Gana Gueye – 1
Netherlands top World Cup qualification goalscorers
Memphis Depay -12
Davy Klaassen – 4
Donyell Malen – 3
Luuk de Jong -3
Gini Wijnaldum – 2
Senegal vs. Netherlands line-ups
Senegal (4-3-3): E. Mendy; Ballo-Toure, Koulibaly, Cisse, Sabaly; Gana Gueye, N. Mendy, Kouyate; Dia, Sarr, Diedhiou
Netherlands (3-5-2): Pasveer; Ake, van Dijk, Timber; Blind, Koopmeiners, Berghuis, de Roon; Depay, Bergwijn
Senegal team news
Mane leaves an important hole in Cisse’s starting side, but he still has experience through the likes of Kalidou Koulibaly, Idrissa Gana Gueye and Cheikhou Kouyate. Famara Diedhiou looks set to replace Mane in attack for Cisse, as part of a positive line up.
Netherlands team news
Van Gaal will be relying on 39-year-old goalkeeper Remko Pasveer behind a defence including Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk. Barcelona and Atalanta will provide two key players each, with Frenkie de Jong and Memphis Depay and Marten de Roon and Teun Koopmeiners respectively.